PRIVATE TAKEOVER OF JABI LAKE PARK

Last year, I published a post about the private takeover of Abuja's Jabi Lake Park by a powerful, select few moneybags. It gained over five thousand views, but no one joined me to call the authorities to action.

I spoke about how the lake's frontlines are being given to state developers to build private houses denying other Nigerians the privilege of enjoying the natural beauty God gave us. I even gave the example of New York City's Central Park, which reserves space for wildlife and nature in the midst of the most sophisticated city on earth.

Google even acknowledged that I started the hashtag #SaveJabiLake. Today, aside from the Jabi Lake ShopRite, other parts of the lake have been privatized for the wealthy few.

Because we all kept quiet about that small voice, today the protests and shouting sound like mere noise. Since 2007, when Jabi Lake Park was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nasir El-Rufai, the park has served the general public.

Many citizens got married at that park. Countless birthdays, national celebrations, public and national competitions, global music videos, moments of relaxation, sporting events, school outings and so much more. This park has been a living part of our collective memory.

Today, it seems we are going to be watching the beauty of the lake from our TV screens. I was the voice who called for the upgrade of Jabi Lake Park but never for its privatization.

For now, I will be silent on calling out the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, until I understand the direction of this development. Whether it serves the public good or only the wealthy few. I trust the Minister's capability and development goals, and I pray he does not privatize our natural beauty.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah 

#SaveJabiLake #PublicParksForAll #JabiLakeNotForSale #ProtectOurHeritage #KeepJabiLakePublic #NatureOverPrivatization #AbujaLands #FCTMinisterWike #OurLakeOurLegacy #SilenceIsComplicity #VoiceForTheVoiceless